DIY to-go Mason Jar

I love drinking out of mason jars. The other morning I switched up my usual hot cup of joe with some iced coffee, complete with coffee ice cubes I froze the day before. 

By creating a hole for a straw to go through in the lid of a mason jar, it makes for a perfect to-go cup! So efficient and easy to transport without any spillage.

This DIY is so easy. I literally put it together the other morning, right before I had to leave for work.

What you need:

• mason jar
• lid
• hammer
• philips screwdriver
• straw

What to do:

1. Center the screw driver on the lid and hammer to create a hole.

2. Wiggle the screw driver around until you've made a hole big enough for your straw.

3. Hammer the edges down so around the hole is smooth.

4. Stick your straw through and screw on the lid! And there ya go, a to-go mason jar!

I'm sad to say I'm going to take about a two week hiatus from the blog. I start prep for sorority recruitment this weekend and I'm about to be busy busy. There might be a random post here and there, but I'll be back soon with a huge "bites of my life" post to catch up for lost time!

Annie

DIY Tassel Garland

I finally finished my tassel garland. This is a DIY I have had on my list for forever and I finally did it. I'm really making head way with my summer to-do list. I started at the beginning of the summer, but it was one of those things were I would sit down and work on in it for about 15 minutes then have to do something else. It really doesn't take that long I just never hat the time to sit down and do it!

I actually made two. One for my bedroom above my bed, and the other in our living room above the TV. I'm so happy with how they came out! I'm thinking about becoming a professional garland maker...maybe not, but I wouldn't mind.

Follow my steps below to learn how to make your own tassel garland!

Things you need:
tissue paper (any colors you want, I bought a huge multipack at Michael's)
scissors
twine

Step 1. Fold your tissue paper in half hot dog style. Then cut in half hamburger style.

Step 2. Take the folded end of your tissue paper and fold it down about one inch.

Step 3. Cut about 1/2 inch strips all the way up to where you folded the top down. Don't cut all the way to the seam, just to the bottom of the fold.

Step 4. Unfold your tissue paper and lay it out flat.

Step 5. Start to roll your tissue up. Roll it as tight as you can, but make sure you keep all the strips flared out to the sides. They tend to get twisted up once you start rolling.

Step 6. Once rolled up it should look something like this. Now twist the center so it is really tight.

Step 7. After you twist the center it should look like this. Take the center, with the two halves hanging down, and hold it with your pointer finger and thumb. Begin to twist the halves together. Keep holding with your pointer finger, so a little loop is created.

Step 8. Ta-da! One tassel down! 

Step 9. My garland used about 15 tassels, but feel free to make as many as you want. After all your tassels are done, lay them out in the order you want to string them. String the twine through the loops of your tassels, and that's it, tassel garland!

One of my garlands finding a place above my bed.

Annie

Abstract

I'm pretty proud of myself for everything I've accomplished on my summer to-do list so far. A few nights ago I had nothing going on and embarrassingly found myself watching High School Music 2. I realized very quickly I needed to find something better to do. It was about 10 o'clock and it seemed like the perfect time to paint a canvas...anything besides watching HSM2. Okay so maybe I left it playing in the background. Anyway, I whipped it this abstract out in about 15 minutes and I'm pretty happy with the outcome!

You can see in the pictures below how I squirted a little bit of paint in random places on the canvas, then with my brush just spread it around to mix and give it texture. I used navy, light blue, orange, pink and light pink as the main colors. I then added a little bit of white and gold over the top, and with a paper towel gave it a sponge affect.

I've been working on a little gallery wall in my bedroom across from my bed. I already put up a couple prints I had, but I think the canvas is the perfect addition. My room, and the prints are all very light, so this creates a good focal point.

Trust me when I say anyone can paint an abstract like this. It was super and easy and you can't really mess it up.

Now I just a few more things to check off my to-do list!

Annie

DIY: T-shirt turban

I am loving the turban headband trend that is happening right now. It seems like it started a couple seasons ago but is coming back strong for spring and summer. They are the perfect thing to cover up my days old washed hair ...anyway this is the easiest DIY on how you can make your own! All you need is an old t-shirt and a pair of scissors. No sewing involved!

Step 1.

Grab and old t-shirt you don't mind cutting up. I had this random tank top a t-shirt company gave me as a free sample that worked perfectly. A size small or medium shirt will probably work best for this. Larges tend to just get wider which could make your headband too big for your head. This is something you will have to play around with.

Step 2.

Cut the seam off the bottom of your shirt.

Step 3.

Cut about 2 1/2 inch strips. You can make them as thick or as thin as you like. I was able to get three strips out of this shirt. You only need one strip per headband, but this way you can have multiples or share with friends.

Step 4. 

Take a strip and twist it once to make a figure 8.

 Step 5. 

Twist it one more time.

Step 6.

Fold the figure 8 in half.

Step 7. 

Put the two ends together with the knot at the top and you have your turban! Easy as that!

Step 8.

Voila! You just made a turban headband and you get to enjoy this really awkward selfie of me!

Annie